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HOUSE BILL NO. 583
INTRODUCED BY FLEMING, FRENCH, BLACK, BRUEGGEMAN, GETZ, TAYLOR, GRINDE, STEINBEISSER, WARBURTON, MACDONALD
AN ACT SUPPORTING A NETWORK OF FOUR ESTABLISHED MONTANA FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; PROVIDING A FUND TRANSFER; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the lack of infrastructure in Montana for adding value to the state's agricultural products is a primary barrier to our state capturing a significant portion of the $3 billion that Montanans spend each year on food; and
WHEREAS, this lack of infrastructure is inhibiting the ability of farmers and ranchers and other agricultural entrepreneurs to serve markets for food, farm-based renewable energy, and other value-added agricultural markets, both within the state and outside the state; and
WHEREAS, producing for local markets on a family or community scale can reconnect Montana's rural and urban economies and enhance stewardship of Montana's natural and human resources; and
WHEREAS, consumer demand for Montana-based, sustainably grown, nutritious, and affordable food in Montana exceeds supply; and
WHEREAS, farm-derived renewable energy and biofuels hold promise to increase the profitability of family farm and ranch operations, promote domestic energy production, and lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy; and
WHEREAS, previous investment and capacity built in the state for supporting value-added agricultural development needs to be maintained; and
WHEREAS, increasing technical assistance to Montana's food and agricultural entrepreneurs can help keep more of the state's food, agricultural, and energy dollars circulating in Montana communities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Montana food and agricultural development program -- definition. (1) There is a program administered by the department to promote Montana food and agricultural development. The program must fund four Montana food and agricultural development centers that were established before January 1, 2009, and that are charged with:
(a) developing Montana's capacity to produce food and value-added agricultural products, including farm-derived renewable energy; and
(b) providing technical assistance and other services to community-based food, agriculture, and farm-derived renewable energy entrepreneurs.
(2) Technical assistance includes but is not limited to business assistance, product development, marketing, nutritional analysis and labeling, education, assistance with food safety regulation compliance, training to educate business professionals and entrepreneurs on industry dynamics and technology of specific bioproduct industries, and evaluating existing and developing technologies.
(3) Each center must be a certified regional development corporation or a nonprofit organization that serves at least a four-county region.
(4) As used in this section, "farm-derived renewable energy" means renewable energy produced from products developed by farmers and ranchers, as well as entrepreneurs, using Montana farm and ranch products.
Section 2. Fund transfer. There is transferred $250,000 from the research and commercialization state special revenue account established in 90-3-1002 to the state general fund in each year of the biennium, to be spent in accordance with 90-3-1003(4).
Section 3. Appropriation. The following amounts are appropriated to the department of agriculture from the general fund for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to establish and administer the Montana food and agricultural development program as provided in [section 1]:
FY 2010 FY 2011
Four centers, operation $240,000 60;$ 240,000
Administration $10,000 60;& #160; $10,000
Total $250,000 60;& #160;$250,000
Section 4. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 80, chapter 11, and the provisions of Title 80, chapter 11, apply to [section 1].
Section 5. Coordination instruction. If [this act] is passed and approved and House Bill No. 123 fails, then the fund transfer provided for in [section 2 of this act] for fiscal year 2011 is void.
Section 6. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2009.
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Version of HB 583 (HB0583.ENR)
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